Eagles founder Randy Meisner dies at 77
The original bassist also sang lead on ‘Take It To The Limit’
Last updated 28th Jul 2023
Eagles co-founder and original bassist Randy Meisner has passed away aged 77.
The band shared the news on their website, writing: “The Eagles are sad to report that founding member, bassist, and vocalist, Randy Meisner, passed away last night (July 26) in Los Angeles at age 77, due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).”
They added: “Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit’.”
Watch: Eagles 'Take It To The Limit' live in 1977
The Eagles are one of the most successful bands ever, having sold more than 150 million albums globally.
Meisner formed the Eagles along with Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon in 1971, performing on the albums ‘Eagles’, ‘Desperado’, ‘On The Border’, ‘One of These Nights’ and ‘Hotel California’.
Prior to that he had played with Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band and was the original bass player for country-rock group Poco in the late 1960s.
Meisner left the Eagles in 1977, citing exhaustion after struggling on the tour in support of the ‘Hotel California’ album. He was present when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, however, and his successor Timothy B. Schmit paid tribute to Meisner in his acceptance speech.
Meisner was reportedly invited by the Eagles to take part in their History of the Eagles world tour in 2013, but declined due to health issues.
He once said in an interview: "The purpose of the whole Eagles thing to me was that combination and the chemistry that made all the harmonies just sound perfect.
"The funny thing is after we made those albums I never listened to them and it is only when someone comes over or I am at somebody's house and it gets played in the background that is when I'll tell myself, 'damn, these records are good.'"
Gallery: The Eagles' Glittering Career
1971: The band's formation
In 1971, Glenn Frey and Don Henley were recruited to play in Linda Ronstadt's band. Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon were also scouted to perform and tour with Linda Ronstadt in the same year.
On this tour, the foursome decided to form a band, and in September 1971, they were signed to Asylum Records.
1972: The band's first album
The Eagles' self-titled debut album was released in 1972, with their first single, 'Take It Easy', released in June that year. The song reached Number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, propelling the band into the mainstream.
The album also had two other hit singles, 'Witchy Woman' and 'Peaceful Easy Feeling', which charted at Number 9 and Number 22 respectively.
1973: Peaking too soon
The Eagles' second album, 'Desperado', failed to make a hit, causing friction in the band. Eight records on the album were written by Glenn Frey and Don Henley, with their first single, 'Tequila Sunrise', peaking at Number 61 in the US charts, and their second, 'Outlaw Man', reaching Number 59.
1975: Becoming international superstars
Following the success of their third album, 'On the Border', which won them their first US Number 1 with the single, 'Best of My Love', the Eagles released their fourth studio album, 'One of These Nights', in 1975. The album made the band global icons, as it was the first of four consecutive Number 1 albums.
Their first single from the album under the same name went straight to the top of the charts, with the second single, 'Lyin' Eyes', reaching Number 2. This single also won the band their first Grammy for "Best Pop Performance by a duo or group with vocal." The Eagles even launched a worldwide tour to support the album, which ended up being nominated for a Grammy award for Album of the Year.
1976: Setting a new world record
After Bernie Leadon left the band and was replaced by Joe Walsh, the band released their first compilation album, 'Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)', which until Michael Jackson's death in 2009, was the highest-selling album of the 20th century in the United States.
It has sold 29 million copies in the U.S and 42 million copies worldwide.
1979: Chart success
After two years of recording their next album, the Eagles released 'The Long Run' in 1979. The album became Number 1 and sold seven million copies.
The album included their last Number 1 single, 'Heartache Tonight', as well as 'The Long Run' and 'I Can't Tell You Why', which both peaked at Number 8. 'Heartache Tonight' also won the band their fourth Grammy Award.
1980: The split
Following arguments between Don Felder and Glenn Frey, friendships in the band started to crack. Despite releasing their first live album, 'Eagles Live', albeit in different parts of the US following the tensions, the band announced their split in 1980.
1980 - 1993: Solo careers
After breaking up, all band members from the Eagles embarked on solo careers. Joe Walsh released his own album and Don Henley achieved chart success, dueting with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame on the record 'Leather and Lace.'
Deacon Frey achieved musical success after producing songs for films, including 'The Heat Is On' from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack and 'You Belong to the City' from the Miami Vice soundtrack. Both tracks reached Number 2 in the US.
1994: A successful comeback
In 1994, the band made a comeback, releasing the album, 'Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles', which peaked at Number 1. The band went on to perform at various concerts and performed headline tours for five years after their comeback.
2001: Don Felder lawsuit
In 2001, Don Felder was fired from the band. He then launched a lawsuit, alleging wrongful termination, breach of implied-in-fact contract and breach of fiduciary duty, reportedly seeking $50 million in damages. In 2002, the case was settled outside of court for an undisclosed amount.
2015: A one-off Grammy performance
Over the next 14 years, the Eagles continued to tour across the globe and release more singles and albums. However, they didn't reach the top of the charts like their previous music. In 2016, the band performed at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. They sung "Take It Easy" in memory of Glenn Frey who had recently passed away.
2020: The Eagles toured
In 2020 the band were set to go on their 'Hotel California 2020' tour, but this was postponed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
2022: The Eagles performed in the UK
Eagles, with the line-up of feature Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit and Vince Gill, performed in Liverpool Anfield Stadium, Edinburgh BT Murrayfield Stadium and London BST Hyde Park in June 2022.
2022: Timothy B. Schmit says there will be no new Eagles music
In September 2022, Timothy B. Schmit said that it isn't likely that we'll get new Eagles music.
In an interview with Louder Sound, he was asked if there was new music on the horizon, to which he said: "I sincerely doubt it. We toured behind our last album, 'Long Road Out Of Eden', and put in five to seven of those songs. But we don't do them any more because there wasn't a big reaction. When people come to see the Eagles they want to hear Best Of My Love, One Of These Nights, all these things. So we give it to them."
2023: Eagles announce farewell tour
In July 2023, the band announced that they were heading on a farewell tour called 'The Long Goodbye', as they said that their 'miraculous 52-year odyssey' was coming to an end. The tour began in September 2023, with the band going on to add more dates.
'The Long Goodbye' tour will conclude in March 2024.
2023: Founding member Randy Meisner died
In July 2023, founding member, bassist and vocalist Randy Meisner sadly passed away aged 77, due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
The band said: "Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, 'Take It to the Limit'."
2024: The Eagles announce a residency in Manchester
The Eagles announced a five-night residency taking place Manchester, at a new venue called the Co-op Live Arena. Initially announcing three dates, the band added two extra shows due to phenomenal demand. Tickets are on sale now from Aloud.com